Any time of the year is a good time for parents to enroll their sons in
Scouting. But most boys join Scouting in September and October. During
this period, annual recruiting programs are conducted by Cub Scout
Packs and Boy Scout Troops throughout the Cayuga County Council. Boys
are attracted to Scouting for the obvious reasons - camping, hiking,
uniforms, pinewood derby races, earning badges and awards, making new
friends, learning new things and having fun.

Parents want their sons to join Scouting because it is more than just a
program. Scouting is a life changing experience that helps build
character, values, community and family.

The 12 traits that make up the Scouts Law reads like every parent's
wish for their children - "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and
reverent."

Along with the motto of "be prepared" and the scout slogan "do a
good turn daily," scouting sets expectations of cooperation, respect
and good will - all success factors in helping build lifelong personal
and family values.

These days there is a great deal of competition for kids time and a
family's time - some good, some not so good. Take this example. What
are the top 10 reasons why scouting beats TV, hands down?

10. No wires, no remote, no batteries required

9. Scouting burns more calories

8. Scouting is socially interactive

7. Scouting doesn't have commercials

6. Scouting builds character

5. You can't build a campfire in the family room (The fireplace doesn't
count)

For hundreds of local youth that reality show will start this fall. A
new Boy Scout who joins in September can travel to Wellesley Island
State Park at Thousand Islands with more than 150 local scouts and
leaders to join 3,000 other scouts for a 2006 Brotherhood Camporee
Weekend.

A new Cub Scout who joins during our county-wide school night on Sept.
21 can bring his family to Spook-O-Ree V, a Halloween themed adventure
at Scout Camp Rotary on Saturday, Oct. 21. All new scouts can join more
than 400 others in November for one of our communities' most rewarding
service projects - "Scouting for Food." These events and activities
are only highlights of the things that scouts do on a weekly basis.

Parental involvement is one of the strengths of scouting that makes it
unique. Parents appreciate and enjoy having the ability to become
involved at different times and levels in their child's scouting
career. Siblings and extended family members can also benefit by
participating in family-based activities and programs, not to mention
the positive effect a scout can have as a role model, especially to
younger family members.

Call 252-9579 or stop by the scout office at 7235 Mutton Hill Road, to
find out how to begin your son's scouting experience.

Don Grillo is the scout executive for the Cayuga County Council Boy
Scouts of America.